€ 8,999 | Manufacturer’s website
Bike parks with shuttles or lifts? That’s old news! The new YT DECOY comes equipped with a Bosch motor, loads of travel and an uncompromising downhill pedigree – everything you need to send hard without relying on a lift. But while traditional downhill bikes score points with a significantly lower system weight, the German eMTB enters our test as a heavyweight, tipping the scales at 23.9 kg in size XL. The idea: more laps, more airtime, more fun – without the need for a lift pass. But how does the DECOY hold up against its motorless rivals on rough, beaten-up park trails?
For an overview of this comparison test, click here: The Best Bike Park Bike of 2025 – 6 models in review
Spec and details of the YT DECOY CORE 4
In the CORE 4 spec variant, the YT DECOY relies exclusively on high-end components – tough and tuned for hard-hitting park action. At €8,999, however, it’s also the priciest bike on test – roughly 15 lift tickets, or nearly €1,000 more than the Ghost Poacha. The main reason? The Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor, which delivers 85 Nm of torque and 600 W of power straight out of the box. Thanks to a free performance update, you can unlock up to 100 Nm of torque and a maximum output of 750 W. Power comes from a Bosch PowerTube battery with 800 Wh capacity, easily enough to get you through a full day of laps, even with max assist and serious elevation gain. The charging port relies on a bayonet lock to keep dirt and water out, and it’s easy and intuitive to use even with gloves. The Kiox 400C display is neatly integrated into the top tube and gives you all the key info at a glance. A nice touch: the beefy motor cover doesn’t just shield the drive unit, it also protects a large section of the downtube from nasty impacts.
The hefty cover doesn’t just protect the Bosch motor – it also shields the downtube effectively from stray rocks.
Swap out the stock Enduro casing on the rear tire for the DH version and ride with more peace of mind.
The YT DECOY features a FOX 38 Factory fork with the latest GRIP X2 damper, combined with a matching FOX FLOAT X2 Factory air shock. This relies on a monotube design that promises improved durability over its predecessor and offers extensive adjustability for both high- and low-speed compression and rebound. Shifting is taken care of by an electronic SRAM XO Transmission drivetrain, delivering precise gear changes even under load. A generously-sized chainstay protector extends all the way over the seatstay, preventing chain slap and paint chips. SRAM Maven Silver brakes with a 220 mm rotor up front and 200 mm at the rear do stopping duties. The cables are routed neatly and disappear into the frame through clamped cable ports behind the head tube, which ensure a clean look and quiet ride. Inside the frame, however, the cable rattles slightly in its sleeves on very rough terrain.
The YT Postman V2 dropper post offers 200 mm of travel, which is more than enough for most riders. For taller riders, though, that might not be quite enough, so it’s worth considering an upgrade to a dropper with more travel for more freedom of movement. The Decoy rolls on a new DT Swiss HXC 1500 carbon wheelset with mullet configuration – with a 29″ wheel at the front, and a smaller 27.5″ wheel at the rear. Our test bike comes equipped with Continental Kryptotal DH tires: the FR version in SuperSoft compound up front, the RE version in Soft compound at the rear – awesome! However, the production bike of the DECOY comes with the lighter Enduro casing at the rear wheel. We recommend upgrading to the tougher DH casing for proper bike park abuse and to protect the expensive carbon rims.
With a few small tweaks to the tyres and dropper, the DECOY becomes a reliable partner for long days in the park.
YT DECOY CORE 4
€ 8,999
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 400C
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP X2 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 170 mm
Seatpost YT Postman V2 200 mm
Brakes SRAM MAVEN Silver 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 1x12
Stem Renthal Apex 35 50 mm
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar 35 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss HXC 1500 29"/27.5"
Tires Continental Kryptotal FR SuperSoft DH/Continental Kryptotal RE Soft DH 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 23,9 kg
Specific Features
Flip Chip
Tuning tips: Fit Continental tires with robust DH casing. Taller riders should upgrade to a dropper post with more travel.
The Bosch Kiox 400C display is neatly integrated into the top tube and shows all the key info at a glance.
With just a few quick adjustments, you can change the bottom bracket height, seat and head angle, and chainstay length to tailor the DECOY to your terrain and riding style.
The bayonet-style charging port cover keeps out dirt and water, and is easy to open even with gloves on.
The geometry of the YT DECOY CORE 4
The YT DECOY is available in five sizes, S to XXL, offering a suitable option for riders between 1.54 and 2.02 m tall. Our test bike in size XL has a generous 495 mm reach (489 mm in the Low setting), which results in a fairly long front triangle. A flip chip in the shock mount allows you to tweak the geometry, altering the head angle by 0.5° from 64.5° to a slack 64°, and the seat tube from 78.5° to 78°. At the same time, the bottom bracket drops by 7 mm, lowering the centre of gravity but also increasing the risk of pedal strikes. Chainstay length varies by ±2 mm depending on the setting.
| Frame Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 385 mm | 400 mm | 420 mm | 440 mm | 460 mm |
| Top Tube | 569 mm | 591 mm | 613 mm | 635 mm | 657 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 108 mm | 116 mm | 124 mm | 132 mm |
| Head Angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat Angle | 78.2° | 78.1° | 78.1° | 78° | 78° |
| Chainstay Length | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm | 445 mm |
| BB Drop | 32 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1226 mm | 1249 mm | 1273 mm | 1296 mm | 1320 mm |
| Reach | 435 mm | 455 mm | 475 mm | 495 mm | 515 mm |
| Stack | 640 mm | 648 mm | 655 mm | 662 mm | 669 mm |
Shoes Fox Union BOA
The YT DECOY CORE 4 on the trail
There’s no doubt about it: when it comes to climbing, the YT DECOY is closer to a lift pass than to a regular bike. With the powerful Bosch motor, you’ll reach the trailhead in record time. The motor delivers strong support with impressively smooth power delivery. Especially in the new eMTB+ mode, it generates loads of traction on technical climbs, even when things get steep and the ground turns loose. While a bit of your pedalling effort is soaked up by the plush suspension on forest roads, it’s hardly a dealbreaker. On the contrary – the sensitive suspension adds comfort on the way up, ironing out small roots and bumps. It’s double the fun, both uphill and downhill.
When gravity takes over, the DECOY makes you feel at ease from the get go. Handling is intuitive, and the Decoy integrates you deeply and centrally into the frame, while the tall front end inspires loads of confidence. The eMTB really comes into its own on steep terrain, encouraging you to let off the brakes and charge. Hold your line, release the brakes, and let it fly. But when the trail flattens out, gets playful or throws in frequent direction changes, the DECOY’s weight and deeply integrated riding position become noticeable. It needs active input to generate momentum and carve through corners. Gaining speed beyond the 25 km/h limit takes effort – here, the DECOY feels more sluggish than its nimbler competitors, which seem to dance around it with ease. But as soon as the terrain turns rough, the DECOY truly comes into its own. The sensitive suspension soaks up big hits, forgives sloppy line choices and smooths out even the nastiest root carpets. Combined with the tall front end, it delivers a composed and planted ride feel. The DECOY smashes through rock gardens with authority and lives up to YT’s UNCAGED motto like few others in this test. In terms of composure, it’s right up there with the Canyon Sender downhill bike and is only just edged out by the Orbea Rallon – an impressive performance for an eMTB. And in the air, the DECOY remains stable and easy to control, whether you’re hitting big jumps or drops. Even when landings go wrong, the bike has more than enough reserves to take the sting out of harsh impacts.
Lift pass? It’s included in the price. Thanks to the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor, the DECOY gets you back to the top under your own steam.
The YT DECOY ploughs through root carpets and rock gardens with impressive composure.
This eMTB demands commitment in tight corners and rewards active body input.
Who should take a closer look at the YT DECOY CORE 4?
The YT DECOY is the perfect tool for anyone who just can’t get enough of the bike park – or wants to keep riding long after the lifts shut down. If you’ve got park-style trails on your doorstep or you’re looking for a reliable shuttle replacement, the DECOY is a powerful partner that’ll carry you back to the top lap after lap.
It might not be the most agile bike in this test and demands a fair bit of rider input on flatter trails, but it totally shines on the descents: composed, confidence-inspiring, and equipped with a suspension that flattens even the roughest lines. Thanks to its high-end spec, you won’t need to compromise on performance – just be ready to tweak a few small things, like upgrading the rear tyre and fitting a longer dropper if you’ve got long legs.
Conclusions about the YT DECOY CORE 4
The YT DECOY might not be the most agile bike in the park, but it makes up for it with composed handling and impressive stability. It ploughs through rough trails without hesitation and really shines when things get rowdy. Thanks to the Bosch motor system, there’s no need for a shuttle – as long as the battery’s charged, you can leave the lift ticket at home. Sure, tight corners and flat sections demand more physical effort, but if you’re after a capable, well-specced park machine that holds its own even without lift access, the DECOY is a seriously powerful option.
Tops
- Exceptional composure on rough descents
- Robust, trail-ready spec
- Built-in uplift thanks to the powerful Bosch motor ;)
Flops
- Sluggish and lacks agility on flatter trails
- Internally-routed cables rattle in rough terrain
For more information, visit yt-industries.com.
The Testfield
For an overview of this comparison test, click here:
The Best Bike Park Bike of 2025 – 6 models in review
All bikes on test:
Atherton S.200 (Click for review) | Canyon Sender CFR Team (Click for review) | Ghost POACHA Full Party (Click for review) | Orbea Rallon D LTD 2026 (Click for review) | Specialized Status 2 170 DH (Click for review) | YT DECOY Core 4
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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker
